Practice Area
Probate & Estate Administration
What we handle
Whether you are named as the Executor of a Will, a Successor Trustee of a Trust, or are the Representative or an Estate facing intestate administration, we can help you navigate the process with ease. We handle the court filings, the paperwork, and the process — so you can focus on family.
Probate overview
When probate is required in Illinois, how to open a probate case, typical timelines, and what to expect at each stage.
Small estates & alternatives
Small estate affidavits and other techniques that can avoid probate entirely.
Estate administration
Gathering accounts, transferring real estate and vehicles, claiming life insurance, addressing creditor claims, and distributing property.
Trust administration
Guidance to Trustees on their duties, Trust transactions, gathering and administering assets, accounting, reporting, communications, and more.
Locating heirs and assets
Help for Executors and Trustees in locating assets and beneficiaries of a trust or estate.
Inventories and accountings
Assistance for Executors and Trustees with the preparation of an inventory of assets and a statement of account.
Frequently asked
Do I need a probate attorney if I'm the only heir?
Often, yes. Illinois requires probate to transfer many assets, and the court process has filing rules and deadlines that are easy to miss.
Are probate records public?
Generally yes. Probate filings are public records. A trust-based plan keeps most details private.
What happens if there is no will?
Illinois intestacy law decides who inherits. It rarely matches what most people would have chosen.
Need help with an estate?
Schedule a free strategy session and we'll map out the next steps together.